shudder 1 of 2

Definition of shuddernext
as in shiver
an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold a shudder ran through him as he stepped outside into the snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

shudder

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shudder
Noun
Last week, Brent crude oil prices reached over $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, peaking at nearly $120 per barrel on Monday, sending shudders throughout the economy. Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026 The Lakers were not about to go quietly into the capital city night, drawing even after nearly 16 minutes of scoreless third-period play and sending a cold shudder though the home crowd. Tom Carothers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
Most of us shudder at the idea of having to skip our morning cuppa. Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026 Hotels used in talks last week have already asked patrons leave as the country shudders into another quasi-lockdown. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shudder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shudder
Noun
  • For anyone with even a mild rodent aversion, that can trigger shivers of disgust.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 8 May 2026
  • Moses had a slight shiver on his way to bring Pal O Mine to the winner’s circle for photos.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Players were visibly shaken, as were many in the stands, as medical staff from both teams and EMS placed him on a stretcher and carted him off the field.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • Rinse under cold water 1 minute, shaking to ensure a thorough rinse.
    Midwest Living, Midwest Living, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Furman is one of a kind: a trans, devoutly Jewish former rabbinical student who’s written a book about Lou Reed and sings folk-punk songs in a mercurial tremble.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
  • Valeria leaves guard duties to Ellen, a grandmother with a constant tremble in her hands from her MS.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of seizures can include short-term confusion, staring spells, stiff muscles and jerking movements of the arms and legs.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
  • Avoid jerking the floss or aggressive movements; instead, use smooth, gentle motions.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Maggie could see how the soles of her feet strained against the stirrups, her pale fists grinding into the platform, knuckles first and elbows quivering.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
  • In the 1970s, James Lovelock proposed that the biosphere was not just green scruff quivering on Earth's surface.
    Big Think, Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Days after the shooting stunned Shreveport, a whirlwind of police lights, camera crews and grieving relatives swarmed the neighborhood where the killings unfolded, the streets vibrating with sirens, the air shrouded in questions and disbelief.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
  • Then the controllers tried vibrating the drill to knock the rock loose and had no luck.
    Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shudder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shudder. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on shudder

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster